Swing Shift (1984)

A woman finds romance when she takes a job at an aircraft plant to help make ends meet after her husband goes off to war.

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Nancy Dowd (as Rob Morton)

Stars:

Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Christine Lahti

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Goldie Hawn	...	Kay Walsh
Kurt Russell	...	Lucky Lockhart
Christine Lahti	...	Hazel Zanussi
Fred Ward	...	Biscuits Toohey
Ed Harris	...	Jack Walsh
Sudie Bond	...	Annie
Holly Hunter	...	Jeannie Sherman
Patty Maloney	...	Laverne
Lisa Pelikan	...	Violet Mulligan
Susan Peretz	...	Edith Castle
Joey Aresco	...	Johnny Bonnaro
Morris 'Tex' Biggs	...	Clarence
Reid Cruickshanks	...	Spike
Danny Darst	...	Deacon (as Daniel Dean Darst)
Dennis Fimple	...	Rupert George

Storyline

Jack and Kay Walsh are typical of many couples of the 1940s, where he is the breadwinner and she the housewife dependent upon him to do the man's duties around the house. Jack believes one of their neighbors in the housing complex in which they live in Los Angeles is white trash - he letting her know so at every opportunity, while Kay is quietly curious about her. That neighbor is streetwise Hazel Zanussi, an aspiring singer who does get a chance to sing on occasion at the club managed by her casual boyfriend, Biscuits Toohey, although he relegates her to being one of the taxi dancers more often against her wants, while he cheats on her behind her back despite truly having feelings for her. Hazel just wants to make an honest living. Their worlds are turned upside down on December 7, 1941 when the US enters WWII with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jack immediately enlists in the Navy, and while he will send money home, his decision leaves Kay largely to fend for herself. Against...

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Plot Keywords:

lifting up dress | 1940s | panties | blonde | year 1941 | 

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Taglines:

When America marched off to war the women marched into the factory. From then on...nothing was the same.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tjejen som jobbade skift

Filming Locations:

Santa Monica, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,270,136, 15 April 1984, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$6,650,206

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Lantana, Hawn / Sylbert Movie Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The aircraft being built at the factory is the SBD Dauntless. It was made by the Douglas (renamed "McBride" for the movie) aircraft company at their plant in El Segundo, California. A total of 5936 SBD's were produced during the war, with the last one rolling off the assembly line in July of 1944. Considered obsolete when the war began, the Dauntless served with both the Navy and Marines, participated in most all major engagements throughout the campaign in the Pacific, and was pivotal in the Battle of Midway before finally being replaced by the Curtis Helldiver late in 1944.

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Goofs

When marine Bobby Danzig first speaks to Jeannie, he is wearing the insignia of a private first class (one chevron), but is wearing a red "blood stripe" on his dress blue trousers; this stripe is designated for non-commissioned officers, which a PFC is not (the Private First Class should be wearing plain blue trousers). However, the end credits identify Danzig as a corporal - two ranks higher than a PFC, and authorized to wear the stripe.

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Quotes

French deMille: Each returning serviceman will get his job back when the war is won. And you girls and women, you'll be going home. Back to being housewives and mothers as you promised to do when you came to work with us. Your lives will return to normal.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown over old, black and white photos.

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Alternate Versions

CBS edited 5 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Jonathan Demme

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Soundtracks

Do it Again
(uncredited)
Written by Buddy G. DeSylva and George Gershwin

User Reviews

Nostalgic 80's

This is the movie that led to Goldie Hawn's romantic real-life involvement with Kurt Russell. I didn't find him to be the charmer he usually plays but their relationship is believable after he finally convinces her to acknowledge it. At first Kay resists his advances saying she's married but then after several months gives in and seems to fall hopelessly in love with him. Needless to say, her husband then surprises her by coming home unannounced. I won't give anything more away but I will say that I was not too thrilled with the ending.

Goldie Hawn did a great job and manages to play her character with vulnerability as well as believability. Like I said, Kurt Russell is not his usual charming self but is still believable as the feisty musician Lucky. Great supporting work here from Christine Lahti who plays Kay's wild singer friend Hazel. Ed Harris plays Kay's husband and Holly Hunter also has a small role. Carly Simon sings the opening theme song. The vibe is there between them because it is real. But this movie just doesn't hold up in the long run. It's fun, but it's nowhere near what Russell and Hawn can do together.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.